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11 Unique Wedding Entertainment Ideas & Insider Tips

Posted on May 14 19

If you’re looking for ways to make your wedding truly memorable, it’s important not to overlook your entertainment. While many people think of music as being restricted to the reception, the truth is: it’s your wedding; you can do it your way. Music – and other forms of entertainment – can bring a whole new level of wonderful to any big day. Here are some ideas you might want to try for yours.

Where and How to Use Entertainment to Make Your Wedding Magical: 11 Tips

The Prelude

You know that bit at the start of a wedding, before the main players get there? The bit where guests meet and greet, then stand around awkwardly, fidgeting in their posh clothes and looking at their watches? Well, that’s a good time to roll out your first set of entertainment. The options here are both limitless, and dependent on your style.

1. The harpist

A harpist is probably one of the most traditional (and sophisticated) ways to start, well, anything really! You can go for classical tunes, contemporary tracks, or if you find the right musician, blend the two together. Either way, your ambience is assured.

2. Acoustic performers

An acoustic duo can kind of be your contemporary harpist. They can provide a backing track for mingling, or switch it up to hold a room in thrall. They can start before the ceremony, and see you through to the wee small hours. Requiring little room for set-up space, they can be almost uniquely flexible, while giving you a performance that will live in your memory.

3. A magician

Magicians are increasingly popular for wedding entertainment. They don’t need much space and can easily mingle, performing to the room or to individuals and groups. Having a magician walk the floor while guests are waiting can help keep spirits high.

4. Swing-jazz

Whether you’re working to a theme, or simply want your wedding to swing into action, the cool, charm and charisma of a swing band is almost impossible to resist. King of the Swingers will have your guest’s toes tapping and feet itching to jitterbug down the aisle.

The Processional

It’s here; your big entrance. You know what’s expected of you… But who wants to do the expected?

5. Motown moments

Does Mendelssohn’s Wedding March seem a little stale to you? Why not storm down the aisle to Aretha Franklin’s Respect? Or maybe Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell’s Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, performed live by your very own Motown band? In bringing fun to the formalities, you instantly make them memorable. In a very, very good way.

6. Do it your way

Tradition-smishion. You don’t need to do something just because that’s the way it’s done. A lot of people are now forgoing traditional processionals in favour of couple walks, or simple platform standing. A great way to personalise your ceremony while adding a flavour of entertainment is to get your dog to walk you down the aisle or may be deliver the ring. Professional animal ring bearers – dogs, horses, even owls – are also growing in popularity.

Register Signing

The deed is done, now you just need to formalise it. The signing of the register is generally a pretty quick process, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t make it memorable.

7. Make it fun

If fun features high on your wedding priorities, there’s really only one option for that register signing moment: Stevie Wonder’s Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I’m Yours. If you have a day band, you could ask them (in advance) to play it. Otherwise, a carefully cued recording can work well. Not into Motown? How about The Wannadies’ You & Me Song? More laid back? Jack Johnson’s Better Together.

The Wedding Breakfast

Aaaaand, relax. For everyone not directly involved in the proceedings, the wedding breakfast is the moment that the fun begins. People want a time to be able to chat about the ceremony, so a full band is out. But silence will kill all ambience stone dead.

8. A string quartet

A string quartet can deliver a beautifully uplifting sound without drowning out conversation. String quartets are also a great option for a prelude performance.

9. Caricaturists

Everyone likes a special memento to take away from a wedding, and a personalised picture certainly beats a slither of cake. Caricaturists are a simple way to add a bit of fun to the quieter moments of the day.

The Dancing

Ceremony – check. Formalities – check. Food – check. Speeches – check. From the first dance to the last, this is your time to let your hair down.

10. Crowd pleasers

A live wedding band can turn a good wedding reception into a rocking wedding reception. The trick is in finding the right band for your event. A band like The Somebodys can deliver a set list spanning more than 50 years, from Chuck Berry to The Killers. Meaning that there’s something for every single person who attends. Black & Gold do something similar, with a feisty, female-led performance. Both deliver quality, style and unadulterated entertainment. A DJ – accompanied by sax or beats or both, for something really special – can do the same thing.

11. Niche performers

Finally, you have the artists who deliver your favoured style. Soul Fresh bring together new soul and R’n’B, which might not appeal to granny, but will go down a bomb with your BFFs. Indie Heads bring peerless energy in a set coming straight from the ’90s and ’00s. While a silent disco allows you to bring the dancefloor to guests who want it, while leaving everyone else to chat.

Your wedding entertainment can be anything you want it to be. You just need to remember that it’s yours for the making. Don’t be afraid to be different, to ask questions, or to break the rules. At Earcandy, we’re fans of all three. And we want to make your wedding entertainment utterly, uniquely, unforgettable.